Beauty / Health and wellbeing | 01.03.2019

Timeless Beauty - Your Skin Through the Ages

While turning back the clock isn't an option, making educated choices that support the health and wellness of your skin as you journey through the decades, most certainly is within your control.

As the story of your skin unfolds, many changes and variables come into play, (both intrinsic and extrinsic) with lifestyle and genetics factoring in to how well we fare when it comes to our reflection.

YOUR TEENS

Up until your hormones change tempo, your skin should be relatively blemish free
with a plump, even skin tone. Cell turnover is optimal, generally with a 14 to 25-day
renewal cycle. Your collagen and elastin are still neatly coiled and cross-linked like a
brand new innerspring mattress and stay like that until your mid-20s.

The soft, supple
baby face cheeks that granny likes to pinch stay relatively untouched and the same
right through childhood up to your early teens. With hormonal fluctuations and
increased oil production, dreaded teen pimples and acne may start to appear and
mess up the blemish free canvas.

It’s vitally important to start using sun protection from an early age, when your skin is
most susceptible. Ultraviolet light affects us from the time of birth, which means the
blueprint is already formed on the epidermal layer of your skin. Any damage sustained
early on won’t be evident for some years yet, but you’ll see it surface down the track.

YOUR 20s

Carefree and tempestuous, in your early 20s your skin’s still smooth, plump and in
prime condition. Your complexion is generally clear and radiant. Your skin tone, thanks
to an ample supply of collagen and elastin, is plump and fleshy like a juicy, ripe peach.
Endocrine activity is robust and stimulates the hormones that create oil production.
Moisture levels are at their peak and enhance skin protection. The main objective is to
preserve hydration and look after minor skin imperfections. Amp up the two p's - prevention and protection. Make moisturising with SPF a daily essential.

Visible ageing begins around 25, when the skin is considered ‘mature’ and the
regenerative process starts to slow down. Collagen and elastin production is no longer
happening at the same youthful pace and the gravitational descent slowly starts.

Around 28, the first fine lines and dynamic wrinkles appear around the eyes from
repetitive muscular expression and contraction. Brow creasing, forehead lines and
nasolabial folds begin to show and there may be signs of collagen degeneration on the
back of the hands. Dead skin cells don’t shed as regularly – between 28 to 42 days –
and the strateum corneum (outermost layer of the epidermis) may become uneven and
thicker.

YOUR 30s

Long working days forging a career, family life and burning the soy candle at both ends
can all add to skin degeneration. With any additional stress and tiredness, the skin loses
its brightness and signs of fatigue and ageing begin to permanently etch on your face.

The muscles that are used repeatedly create a memory groove. Crow’s feet and
forehead creases from frowning and smiling become more obvious. Using a good
pair of sunglasses to prevent squinting and to protect the eyes from harsh light is
recommended. Fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes and the mouth become
more noticeable. Discolouration, uneven skin tone, brown spots, ruddiness and
hyper-pigmentation may start to take hold. Skin becomes finer and thinner due to
further slowing down of collagen production.

The mutations of the epidermal cells from environmental damage become prevalent.
Exfoliation, both mechanical and physical, reap rewards by stimulating circulation and
sloughing off the buildup of dead cells to assist with turnover. A regular skincare routine
with products that feed and nurture your skin, as well as preventative measures for sun
and environmental exposure, are your best course of action.

"There’s nothing more beautiful or alluring than a woman who exudes confidence. No amount of external tweaks will get you there. High self-esteem and self-love radiate from an internal compass fuelled by purposeful direction and creative satisfaction." Mukti

YOUR 40s

Expression wrinkles increase and a lack of surface firmness appears. It’s the moment to accelerate cellular turnover and correct any visible signs of ageing. Your face loses
volume, gravity takes over and everything starts to head south. The nasolabial folds that
run from the base of the nose and create your cheeks, decline toward the midline of
your face creating deepened marionette lines. If you’re on the thin side, people may say
you look tired and drawn even if you’re getting ample sleep.

Around your mid-40s, the skin begins to thin due to hormonal changes. It becomes
more vulnerable and susceptible to damage. Sensitivities become more apparent as cell
turnover further declines. The cumulative evidence of worshipping the sun in your teens
conspires with the intercellular glue, making the surface appear as dull and lifeless as
the surface of Mars. Your complexion doesn’t reflect the light as effectively as it used to.

Collagen and elastin seem to have taken long service leave and your glow may only be
noticeable in a candlelit environment with a spattering of strategically applied luminiser.
Sebum production slows down. If your skin’s prone to dryness, a rich moisturiser
applied over antioxidant-based serums will greatly assist. Darker patches can form due
to abnormal melanin clumping, so natural skin lightening preparations may need to be
added to your routine. Enhancing protection against free radicals with a good boost of antioxidants internally and externally, prolongs the lifespan of the cells and guards
against environmental pollutants.

Respond to hormonal changes by embracing fortifying skincare that replaces much needed moisture and plumpness.

YOUR 50s

Hormonal changes (perimenopause and menopause) disrupt the cutaneous metabolism.
Wrinkles become amplified, your skin elasticity resembles a worn-out rubber band and
age spots appear on your face and hands. Previous neglect of the skin, particularly from sun damage, becomes increasingly difficult to camouflage. Your cheeks and bone
structure are now more defined.

Oil glands and cell turnover aren’t as active, with a cycle of around 42 to 84 days. Your
skin may be drier than ever with dermal barrier impairment, so products have difficulty
penetrating. Expression lines don’t retreat after squinting and smiling. Pores may be
more visible on the cheeks and the nose. Spider veins, broken capillaries and hyper
pigmentation may be noticeable. There may also be evidence of precancerous spots
from cumulative sun damage, particularly on the nose or more exposed areas of the
face.

The onset of menopause and hormonal fluctuations as oestrogen levels decrease
can lead to sleep disruption and create a series of related skin conditions including: dermal impairment, rosacea, extremely dry skin and increased breakouts. Active ingredients that repair and
regenerate are paramount for your everyday products.

AND BEYOND

Ongoing hormonal fluctuations should start to balance out and your skin becomes
relatively stable. To maintain the integrity for as long as possible, a regular maintenance
program both at home and every four to six weeks with a (beauty) therapist is highly recommended.
If you’ve used adequate protection over the years, then your complexion will still be
smooth and less mottled than your sun-worshipping sisters.

Enhancements - surgical or injectable, (as opposed to consensual disfigurement) are a matter of personal
choice. The best advice is to have a
photo on hand that you liked of yourself when you were in your mid to late 20s. Use it as a guiding
benchmark and draw a line in the sand.

As for the topical our Age Defiance Collection is specifically formulated with key ingredients to target the visible signs of ageing. Internally, keep an eye out for our soon to be released Bioactive Collagen Booster which is jam packed with age defying and skin fortifying ingredients.

This excerpt is taken from my book "Truth in Beauty".

Are you interested in fortifying your skin care routine with internal supplements? What have you used and what would you like to try? Leave a comment to win a MOnths supply of our LIMITED EDITION bioactive Collagen Booster.

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